Location-based forwarding of a communication

Abstract

The invention provides a method and a system for forwarding a telephone call. The inventive method includes receiving a telephone call from a calling party line to a called party line, determining a location of the called party, determining a proximity of the location of the called party to one or more subscriber locations, and directing the telephone call to the one or more subscriber locations based on the determined proximity. The subscriber locations may be predefined by the called party. The location of the called party may be determined using a global position system and / or a radio frequency signal, for example.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The invention relates generally to the forwarding of a communication based on a detected location, and more particularly to the forwarding of telephone calls to a certain location based on the detected location of a subscribing customer.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]For some time the telecommunications industry has provided services to allow a subscriber to receive calls while away from a “subscribed” location. For example, “call forwarding” is a service that allows a subscriber to redirect calls directed to a residence or place of work, for example. In addition, the wireless telephone permits a user to receive calls at any location. These solutions have migrated from specialty services, directed to frequently traveling businesspersons, to nearly all telephone users.[0003]For many, however, call forwarding services often are too complicated to set up and too limited in their capabilities. For example, traditional call forwarding required the subscriber to rem...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The invention provides a method and a system for forwarding a telephone call. The inventive method includes receiving a telephone call from a calling party line to a called party line, determining a location of the called party, determining a proximity of the location of the called party to one or more subscriber locations, and directing the telephone call to the one or more subscriber locations based on the determined proximity. The subscriber locations may be predefined by the called party. The location of the called party may be determined using a global position system and/or a radio frequency signal, for example. The subscriber loc

Problems solved by technology

For many, however, call forwarding services often are too complicated to set up and too limited in their capabilities.

Of course, this was often an unacceptable alternative.

In addition, although wireless telephones offer a viable alternative to call forwarding, for many users wireless telephones are not yet reliable enough to replace the home or business telephone as the primary or sole point of contact.

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